Brussels – The two longest-serving centres of excellence in European studies have substantially overhauled their framework agreement, aiming at much closer academic and administrative cooperation.
The new agreement was signed by EUI President Renaud Dehousse and College of Europe Rector Jörg Monar at a ceremony in Brussels today, attended by Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
A joint master programme that combines the strengths of the two institutions is at the heart of the new agreement, states a joint declaration. The Joint Master Programme in European and Transnational Affairs, or ETNA programme, provides analytical insights and practical skills to understand how public policy is designed between states, international governmental organisations, and non-state actors. The programme, which should welcome its first students in 2021-2022, will enable young leaders to solve the challenges of our societies today as well as tomorrow.
EUI President Renaud Dehousse said: “Combining our strengths, the European University Institute and the College of Europe aim at attracting tomorrow’s leaders. The ETNA Programme prepares students to take on roles of responsibility in European, international and transnational affairs in the decades to come.”
CoE Rector Jörg Monar commented: “This agreement marks a significant further step for the cooperation of the College of Europe and the European University Institute. With the offer of this highly innovative joint two-year Master programme we intend to enable well qualified students to help states and societies to better respond to the numerous and increasing transnational challenges of our times.”
The framework agreement also foresees an annual conference on a topical European subject, co-organised by the two institutions. It also facilitates the exchange of academic staff in teaching and research.
The agreement includes concrete provisions – and in particular institutional arrangements – to ensure the effective implementation of joint ambitions in the years ahead.
